Endorsements

MCALLEN ISD AHEAD OF GAME

McAllen ISD students are better positioned than most to comply with the state’s changes for public education because the district has spent years laying the groundwork to offer a multitude of choices to get your child on a happy and successful path.

In January, 2014, the state legislature beefed up the graduation requirements for high school students beginning with the 2014-15 freshman class (the Class of 2018). Class of 2018 students will be required to earn a specific number of credits, pass the state assessments (known as STAAR) and now earn an endorsement. Endorsements are career-specific paths.

While the state is requiring that public schools offer at least one endorsement, McAllen ISD already offers all five endorsements because the district has been creating programs that offer students a cluster of advanced skills that fall in line with the new state endorsements.

ENDORSEMENT BASICS

Beginning with the freshman class of 2014-15, students must select an endorsement. This is in response to industry demands for a work force with more specialized skills. Since the law, known as House Bill 5, is new many public schools may be able to offer only a few of the endorsement opportunities. McAllen ISD, however, will offer all five.

A school district defines advanced courses and determines a coherent sequence of courses for an endorsement area, provided that prerequisites are followed.

Please note: McAllen ISD student, teacher, alumni and staff photos are on-going and will be updated at least twice a year to showcase multiple campuses and the McAllen community at large. The McAllen Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability.

McAllen ISD adopted a Maintenance and Operations tax rate that will raise more taxes for Maintenance and Operations than last year's tax rate. The tax rate will effectively be raised by zero percent and will raise taxes for Maintenance and Operations on a $100,000 home by approximately zero dollars.

McAllen ISD adopted a Debt Service tax rate that will not raise more taxes for Debt Services than last year's Debt Service tax rate. The tax rate will effectively be raised by zero percent, and will raise more taxes for Debt Service on a $100,000 home by zero dollars.